Author: Michelle Magyar

The Community Engagement Initiative (CEI) is transforming how educators and communities collaborate to support student success. Rooted in building genuine relationships, CEI emphasizes the importance of involving families and communities in the educational process. By shifting the focus from traditional methods to a more holistic, relationship-centered approach, educators and community members alike are finding new ways to support and empower students.

In the latest episode of the Rising from the Margins podcast, Superintendent Mark Luque and his Family and Community Engagement (FACE) team discuss their transformative journey as part of the Community Engagement Initiative (CEI). Reflecting the impact of their efforts, Bakersfield City School District saw a significant improvement in student attendance. According to the 2022 California School Dashboard, the district’s Chronic Absence Indicator was at a concerning 51.6%. However, by 2023, this figure had dropped to 30.4%, marking an impressive 21.2% reduction in chronic absenteeism.

Tune in to the latest Rising from the Margins episode to explore:

1. Transformative Impact on Educators: The CEI experience has fundamentally changed educators, encouraging them to build deeper relationships with families and communities, which has led to more effective educational practices.
2. Holistic Approach to Education: CEI promotes a “whole child, whole family, whole community” approach, recognizing that student success is deeply connected to the well-being and involvement of their families and communities.
3. Empowerment Through Engagement: The initiative empowers parents and community members by creating spaces for their voices to be heard and their contributions to be valued, fostering a stronger, more cohesive educational environment. 

Join the Community Engagement Initiative and become part of a transformative movement in education. By building meaningful relationships and collaborating with families and communities, we can create an environment where every student thrives. Part II of the Bakersfield City School District is coming soon!

Resources and Tools: 

• CEI Website
• CEI Resources
• Dr. Karen Mapp Dual Capacity Framework
• Whole Child Policy Toolkit
• Changing the Discourse in Schools 

If you have any questions about CCEE and how to engage with our resources and professional learning opportunities, please visit our website. Stay Ahead in Education! 📚 Check out our Podcast Rising from the Margins, Statewide System of Support Directory, and Friday Feature! Join CCEE’s ListServ & Calendar Updates to Never Miss an Event. Sign Up Now for Limitless Learning Opportunities. 🌟 #CCEEConnections”

We are thrilled to announce the soft launch of the new brand and website for the California Statewide System of Support (SSOS). This significant milestone represents our ongoing commitment to enhancing the system and providing clarity around the supports available to Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) across the state.

The new SSOS website embodies a unique look and feel, marking a major step forward for the collaborative efforts of the California Collaborative for Educational Excellence (CCEE), the California Department of Education, and the California State Board of Education. These organizations are committed to administering a network that fosters innovation, collaboration, and expertise throughout California.

Explore the New SSOS Website

We invite you to explore the new SSOS website. Here, you will find:

• Statewide System of Support Directory: A comprehensive guide to the network of support available.
• Resource Hub: Access to valuable resources you may already be familiar with.
• Three Tiers of Support: A clear and concise explanation of the support tiers provided by the system.

We are continuously enhancing the site and will be updating it regularly with new resources, tools, and information to support your needs. We encourage you to check back often and stay tuned for future updates.

Join Us on This Journey

Your feedback is invaluable to us as we embark on this journey together. We look forward to your continued partnership and support.

Call to Action:

Stay Updated: Regularly check the site for new updates and tools.

Provide Feedback: Share your thoughts and suggestions to help us improve.

If you have any questions about CCEE and how to engage with our resources and professional learning opportunities, please visit our website. Stay Ahead in Education! 📚 Check out our Podcast Rising from the Margins, Statewide System of Support Directory, and Friday Feature! Join CCEE’s ListServ & Calendar Updates to Never Miss an Event. Sign Up Now for Limitless Learning Opportunities. 🌟 #CCEEConnections”

We are thrilled to announce the soft launch of the new brand and website for the California Statewide System of Support (SSOS). This significant milestone represents our ongoing commitment to enhancing the system and providing clarity around the supports available to Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) across the state.

The new SSOS website embodies a unique look and feel, marking a major step forward for the collaborative efforts of the California Collaborative for Educational Excellence (CCEE), the California Department of Education, and the California State Board of Education. These organizations are privileged to administer a network that fosters innovation, collaboration, and expertise throughout California.

Explore the New SSOS Website

We invite you to explore the new SSOS website. Here, you will find:

• Statewide System of Support Directory: A comprehensive guide to the network of support available.
• Resource Hub: Access to valuable resources you may already be familiar with.
• Three Tiers of Support: A clear and concise explanation of the support tiers provided by the system.

We are committed to continuously enhancing the site and will be updating it regularly with new resources, tools, and information to support your needs. We encourage you to check back often and stay tuned for future updates.

Join Us on This Journey

Your feedback is invaluable to us as we embark on this journey together. We look forward to your continued partnership and support.

Call to Action:

Stay Updated: Regularly check the site for new updates and tools.

Provide Feedback: Share your thoughts and suggestions to help us improve.

If you have any questions about CCEE and how to engage with our resources and professional learning opportunities, please visit our website. Stay Ahead in Education! 📚 Check out our Podcast Rising from the Margins, Statewide System of Support Directory, and Friday Feature ! Join CCEE’s ListServ & Calendar Updates to Never Miss an Event. Sign Up Now for Limitless Learning Opportunities. 🌟 #CCEEConnections”

SSOS Core Working Group Report

The June 2024 report from the Core Working Group outlines their analysis and recommendations for California’s Statewide System of Support (SSOS), which is designed to aid Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) in improving student performance and addressing educational disparities (Education Code Section 52059.5). This report highlights the current operational strengths and areas needing enhancement to ensure the SSOS is more accessible and effective across all levels of support—universal, targeted, and intensive.

Key Highlights:

1. Multi-Tiered Support Structure: The SSOS provides structured support at universal, targeted, and intensive levels to meet the diverse needs of California’s LEAs, emphasizing customized resources and continuous improvement.
2. Barriers to Accessibility: Despite its comprehensive framework, there is uneven awareness and accessibility of these resources among LEAs, necessitating improved communication strategies and clarity in resource distribution.
3. Strategic Recommendations: The report outlines detailed recommendations to enhance system coherence, improve resource accessibility, and ensure alignment of services with LEAs’ needs, emphasizing the importance of communication and collaboration across all levels of support.

Call to Action: Education leaders and stakeholders are encouraged to review the detailed findings and implement the recommended strategies to ensure equitable support distribution and to foster an environment conducive to continuous educational improvement. Engage with the proposed improvements by providing feedback and participating in collaborative efforts to refine the SSOS.

California Collaborative for Educational Excellence (CCEE) Priorities for 2024-2025

As the Executive Director of the California Collaborative for Educational Excellence (CCEE), I am excited to share our strategic priorities for the 2024-2025 school year. Our focus will be on four critical areas: A focus on data for statewide and student impact, Special Education targeted and intensive support development, coordination, collaboration, and integration of statewide Mathematics Leads, and Collaboration of statewide literacy leads. These areas are essential to enhancing educational outcomes and ensuring that the Statewide System of Support (SSOS) can meet the mission of California by providing a quality equitable education for every student.

1. Focus on Data

Objective: Build impact through an internal and external system focus.

• Internal System Focus: We will enhance our internal data systems to improve decision-making processes and measure our impact more effectively. This includes refining our data collection methods and leveraging advanced analytics to identify trends and areas for improvement.
• External System Focus: Collaborating with local educational agencies (LEAs), we will provide data-driven insights to support their efforts in addressing educational challenges. By sharing best practices and successful strategies, we aim to foster a culture of continuous improvement across the state.

2. Special Education

Objective: Develop a model for targeted/intensive support for LEAs to address specific needs of Students with Disabilities.

• Targeted Support: We will work closely with LEAs to identify and address the unique needs of students with disabilities. This involves creating tailored intervention programs and providing specialized resources to ensure these students receive the support they need to succeed.
• Intensive Support: For LEAs requiring more comprehensive assistance, we will develop intensive support services within the SSOS. This includes the development of more intensive support systems for more intensive LEA needs.

3. Mathematics

Objective: Build coherence across all state-funded math leads with statewide impact by working with state partners to provide universal resources coordination to support the demands of the new math framework.

• State Partnerships: Collaborating with state educational partners, we will align our efforts to create a cohesive approach to mathematics education. This includes coordinating resources and initiatives to support the implementation of the new math framework.
• Resource Coordination: We will develop and disseminate universal resources, such as instructional materials and training programs, to ensure all educators have the tools they need to effectively teach the new math standards. Our goal is to promote consistency and high-quality math instruction across all schools.

4. Literacy

Objective: Work in partnership with the California Department of Education to develop a more coherent approach to state literacy initiatives.

• Coherence and Alignment: Partnering with state agencies and SSOS literacy leads, to align various literacy initiatives. This will help create a unified approach to literacy education, ensuring that all students have access to comprehensive and consistent literacy instruction.
• Support and Resources: We will assist in creating awareness and understanding of how to access universal support opportunities for LEAs including professional development opportunities, instructional resources, and evidence-based strategies to enhance literacy outcomes. Our focus will be on building capacity within schools to deliver effective literacy instruction.

In conclusion, the CCEE is committed to advancing educational excellence through a strategic focus on data, special education, mathematics, and literacy. By fostering collaboration, providing targeted support, and promoting coherence across state initiatives, we aim in partnership with our state lead agencies, to ensure that every student in California receives a high-quality equitable education that prepares them for future success.

Sincerely,

Matt Navo, Executive Director
California Collaborative for Educational Excellence (CCEE)

CCEE is pleased to announce the submission of two significant legislative reports. These reports introduce innovative tools and research aimed at enhancing policy and practice in education.

1. California Individualized Education Program (IEP) Expert Panel Report. This report outlines the process undertaken by the IEP expert panel to refine the existing IEP template, which is included in the report along with implementation recommendations. For inquiries, please contact Mindy Fattig at [email protected].

2. Community Engagement Initiative (CEI) 1.0 Final Report. Highlighting the achievements of the first phase of the CEI, this report highlights recent accomplishments and lays the groundwork for future development. The CEI team is excited to build upon this work and continue to provide resources and support to strengthen community engagement. Here is a short video taken from a recent Peer Leading and Learning Network (PLLN) convening in April that uplifts the energy and excitement that exists across the state for this important work. View Video Here For more details, please reach out to David Toston at [email protected].

If you have any questions about CCEE and how to engage with our resources and professional learning opportunities, please visit our website. Stay Ahead in Education! 📚 Check out our Podcast Rising from the Margins, Statewide System of Support Directory, and Friday 5! Join CCEE’s ListServ & Calendar Updates to Never Miss an Event. Sign Up Now for Limitless Learning Opportunities. 🌟 #CCEEConnections”

Overview:

Fillmore Unified School District, which includes Fillmore Middle School, Mountain Vista Elementary, Piru Elementary, Rio Vista Elementary, San Cayetano Elementary, and Fillmore Senior High School, is participating in the California Collaborative for Educational Excellence’s (CCEE) Intensive Assistance Model Project.

Key Highlights:

1. Professional Learning Communities: Fillmore Unified has established Guiding Coalitions at each school to lead the PLC process, with all staff receiving extensive professional development and coaching to implement, deepen, and sustain the PLC.
2. Math-Focused Collaboration: The district has partnered with expert math coaches to focus on research-based strategies, diagnostics, standards-based instruction, and equity-based grading, aiming to improve student outcomes in math across all grade levels.
3. Enhanced Student Support: The district has implemented student tutoring and expanded enrichment opportunities addressing SEL and STEAM activities during intersessions and after school. These initiatives aim to provide comprehensive academic support and development for all students.

Call to Action:

To learn more about the transformative initiatives at Fillmore Unified and hear directly from school leaders, listen to Rising from the Margins Season One Episode Five, featuring Fillmore High School and Fillmore Middle School.

If you have any questions about CCEE and how to engage with our resources and professional learning opportunities, please visit our website. Stay Ahead in Education! 📚 Check out our Podcast Rising from the Margins, Statewide System of Support Directory, and Friday 5! Join CCEE’s ListServ & Calendar Updates to Never Miss an Event. Sign Up Now for Limitless Learning Opportunities. 🌟 #CCEEConnections”

Introduction: As California embarks on a transformative journey with the adoption of its new Mathematics Framework, the Rural Math Collaborative (RMC) has emerged as a reliable resource for small, rural local educational agencies (LEAs). Led by Lake County and Butte County, in partnership with the California Collaborative for Educational Excellence (CCEE) and the California Mathematics Project (CMP), the RMC is revamping math education in twenty participating counties.

You can learn more about the RMC on May 8 Open Door Session, Register Here.

Accelerating Learning through Innovative Strategies: The RMC leadership team has developed a dynamic approach to accelerate learning in mathematics. By providing member counties and LEAs with targeted instructional coaching, intervention, and Lesson Study, the RMC is equipping educators with the tools they need to enhance student achievement. These strategies are designed to address the unique challenges faced by rural schools and ensure that every student has access to high-quality math education.

Collaboration and Support for Rural LEAs: One of the key strengths of the RMC lies in its collaborative nature. The partnership between the twenty participating counties fosters a supportive network where best practices, resources, and expertise are shared. This collaboration enables rural LEAs to overcome the limitations of their size and location, leveraging the collective knowledge and experience of the RMC community.

Deepening Knowledge with Asynchronous Courses: To further support educators in implementing the new Mathematics Framework, the RMC has launched asynchronous courses. 

• Number Sense Overview Module : Provides an introduction to the layout of the entire Framework including the Drivers of Investigation, Content Connections and Standards for Math Practice. Introduces aspects of the Framework’s interpretation of number sense, and the progression of number sense ideas through grades TK-8.
• Number Sense Module Part I Grades TK-2: This information is focused around three key areas of number sense in grades TK-2: organizing and counting numbers, comparing and ordering numbers on a line, and operating with numbers flexibly. 

These courses, freely available statewide, aim to deepen educators’ understanding of the framework and its implications for classroom instruction. By providing flexible, self-paced learning opportunities, the RMC is ensuring that teachers have the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively implement the new standards.

From our Partners:

The National Center on Education and the Economy (NCEE) also provides extensive resources on Mathematics including the following:

• Thinking Differently About Math 
• PISA in Perspective: Cultivating Mathematical Mindsets
• Framework for AI-Powered Learning Environments 
• Reimagining Assessment 

As California embraces its new Mathematics Framework, these resources will empower educators, ensuring that every child, regardless of their geographic location, has the opportunity to excel in mathematics.

If you have any questions about CCEE and how to engage with our resources and professional learning opportunities, please visit our website. Stay Ahead in Education! 📚 Check out our Podcast Rising from the Margins, Statewide System of Support Directory, and Friday 5! Join CCEE’s ListServ & Calendar Updates to Never Miss an Event. Sign Up Now for Limitless Learning Opportunities. 🌟 #CCEEConnections”

In the ever-evolving landscape of education, the Spotlight Project emerges as a beacon of progress and practicality. This groundbreaking initiative celebrates the innovative, inclusive, and shareable practices that Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) have developed to enhance student outcomes across our state. By distilling each success story into actionable insights, the Spotlight Project not only showcases emerging best practices but also provides reproducible strategies and essential resources. This serves as an invaluable toolkit for other LEAs looking to tackle similar challenges.

The Spotlight Project highlights key areas of impact, including:

• Enhancing Student Academic Outcomes: The project spotlights strategies that have significantly improved academic performance, offering a roadmap for others to replicate this success.
• Boosting Student and Family Engagement and Well-being: It shares initiatives that strengthen the bonds between schools, students, and their families, fostering a supportive educational environment.
• Supporting Staff and Community: The Spotlight Project highlights efforts to empower educational staff and effectively engage community resources, creating a resilient support network for students.

We invite all educators, administrators, and community stakeholders to dive To learn more about these innovative practices and how you can get involved, click here to explore the Spotlight Project in depth.deeper into the transformative practices shared through the Spotlight Project.

If you have any questions about CCEE and how to engage with our resources and professional learning opportunities, please visit our website. Stay Ahead in Education! 📚 Check out our Podcast Rising from the Margins, Statewide System of Support Directory, and Friday 5! Join CCEE’s ListServ & Calendar Updates to Never Miss an Event. Sign Up Now for Limitless Learning Opportunities. 🌟 #CCEEConnections”